Changeable cartridge for hearing device docking stations

Abstract

The present invention relates to a changeable cartridge for a hearing device docking station, said changeable cartridge comprising a flexible waste reservoir being adapted to receive waste products from hearing device fuel cell power packs, and a flexible fuel reservoir being adapted to hold and provide fuel to hearing device fuel cell power packs. The present invention further relates to a hearing device docking station and a hearing device docking station assembly.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A changeable cartridge for a hearing device docking station, said changeable cartridge comprising
 a flexible waste reservoir comprising a polyethylene bag being adapted to receive waste products from hearing device fuel cell power packs, and 
 a flexible fuel reservoir comprising a polyethylene bag being adapted to hold and provide fuel to hearing device fuel cell power packs, 
 thereby enabling the changeable cartridge to operate as an airless system. 
 
     
     
       2. A changeable cartridge according to  claim 1 , further comprising a protective cover at least partly encapsulating the flexible waste and fuel reservoirs. 
     
     
       3. A changeable cartridge according to  claim 2 , further comprising a pressure release arrangement for pressure equalisation between the interior of the protective cover and the surroundings. 
     
     
       4. A changeable cartridge according to  claim 3 , wherein the pressure release arrangement comprises a membrane, the pressure release arrangement being secured to or forming part of the protective cover. 
     
     
       5. A changeable cartridge according to  claim 1 , further comprising an inlet valve and an outlet valve, wherein the inlet valve is connected to the flexible waste reservoir, and wherein the outlet valve is connected to the flexible fuel reservoir. 
     
     
       6. A changeable cartridge according to  claim 5 , wherein the inlet and outlet valves comprise drip free valves. 
     
     
       7. A changeable cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible waste and fuel reservoirs each comprises a high density polyethylene bag. 
     
     
       8. A changeable cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible waste and fuel reservoirs each has a volume of at least 100 milliliters. 
     
     
       9. A hearing device docking station comprising
 a first connector arrangement for connecting the docking station to at least one changeable cartridge according to  claim 1 , and 
 a second connector arrangement for connecting the docking station to at least one hearing device fuel cell power pack. 
 
     
     
       10. A hearing device docking station assembly comprising
 at least one changeable cartridge according to  claim 1 , 
 a hearing device docking station comprising a first connector arrangement for connecting the docking station to said cartridge, and a second connector arrangement for connecting the docking station to at least one hearing device fuel cell power pack, and 
 a hearing device fuel cell power pack. 
 
     
     
       11. A changeable cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein said cartridge includes a unique identifier by which a docking station can uniquely identify said cartridge. 
     
     
       12. A docking station according to  claim 9 , wherein said docking station is configured to uniquely identify said cartridge and to store information about said uniquely identified cartridge, and to retain said information when said cartridge is disconnected from said docking station. 
     
     
       13. A changeable cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein each said reservoir comprises a bag having an interior surface the entirety of which comprises flexible polyethylene. 
     
     
       14. A changeable cartridge according to  claim 1 , wherein said flexible waste reservoir and flexible fuel reservoir are disposed adjacent one another in such a manner that as a volume of one of said reservoirs increases and a volume of the other of said reservoirs decreases, the increased volume of said one reservoir will at least partially occupy space formerly occupied by the other reservoir before the volume of said other reservoir decreased.